Allbirds Review | We Put The “World’s Most Comfortable Shoes” To The Test

We first heard of Allbirds footwear about again in 2016 when our good friend from New Zealand was sporting them. She claimed these footwear (which have been made out of New Zealand merino wool) have been tremendous snug — they definitely seemed snug. Then a couple of months later we began seeing them throughout New York Metropolis so we determined to verify them out for ourselves since they appeared like a fantastic shoe for journey.

We’ve presently had our Allbirds Wool Runners for about six months — we’ve spent a very good quantity of time pounding the pavement with these footwear so we needed to do our personal Allbirds Assessment.

Fast Background of Allbirds

For a little bit of background, Allbirds is a brand new shoe firm from New Zealand (a rustic well-known for its wool) that made their debut with their Wool Runners — a pair of footwear comprised of merino wool and different sustainable/recycled supplies. They went the direct-to-consumer route (though they do have a number of bodily places now) and all their footwear promote for $95 by way of the Allbirds Web site (free delivery and returns). Individuals appear to actually dig them and their reputation is skyrocketing.

Along with their Wool Runners, Allbirds additionally has a mannequin referred to as “Tree Runners” (that are made out of eucalyptus pulp as an alternative of wool). Additionally they have extra informal “loungers” model of their Wool and Tree footwear.

We additionally like how Allbirds put an enormous concentrate on sustainability — their soles are comprised of sugarcane and their laces are created from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester.

Our Allbirds Evaluation

by way of Allbirds’ Web site

We’re all the time raving out wool with regards to journey clothes however we’ve by no means considered wool for footwear. So once we noticed the Wool Runners we have been intrigued — particularly since Allbirds claims their wool is gentle, moisture wicking, and reduces odor.

And as you possibly can see from the chart above, Allbirds makes loads of claims about their footwear so we needed to check them for ourselves.

In-Retailer Expertise

Contained in the NYC SoHo Location

We truly ordered our Allbirds footwear on-line however Susan’s have been just a little too small so we headed to their NYC location to trade them for a much bigger pair — they’ve free on-line returns however we figured we’d do it a the shop since we have been within the neighborhood. The change was fast and painless (additionally they gave us a couple of free units of free laces).

First-Put on Ideas

Central Park With Henry

The superfine merino wool was instantly mushy and cozy — the shoe could be very slipper-like. The froth of the only is spongy and offers a pleasant quantity of cushion.

We additionally instantly observed how loopy light-weight the Wool Runners are — a pair of measurement 9 is 17oz. You possibly can simply throw these into your baggage with out including hardly any bulk/weight.

Allbirds says you’ll be able to comfortably put on their footwear each with and with out socks. With that in thoughts, I went sockless throughout my maiden voyage to the park with Henry. Even after a superb quantity of strolling, I discovered them very snug straight out of the field and I’ve by no means gotten any blisters.

Susan’s first sporting didn’t go fairly as properly — she developed a blister on her heel however it went away after they have been damaged in. So, identical to each different pair of footwear, we propose sporting your Allbirds a bit to ensure they’re damaged in earlier than happening any tremendous lengthy walks.

Seems to be

We’re actually digging the look of our Wool Runners. They’re a pleasant mix of trend, athletic, and informal. They usually’re about to open a retailer in London so we’re positive you’ll begin seeing them throughout Europe very quickly.

I selected the Pure Black with Black Sole and Susan received the Pure Gray with Mild Gray Sole. Additionally they have an ever-changing choice of restricted version colours. If I have been to do it another time, I in all probability wouldn’t get the all black as I feel having some distinction between the sole and the higher a part of the shoe can be good — however that’s simply private choice.

We additionally like how there isn’t any actual branding on the footwear so it retains with the minimalist look.

Consolation & Sizing

Strolling NYC in Allbirds

After a couple of months of sporting my Wool Runners across the streets of NYC, I nonetheless discover my Wool Runners to be completely snug. The soles have plenty of cushion and bounce. The insoles + sole truly provides an honest quantity of arch help — which is pretty uncommon in different minimalist footwear. That stated, Allbirds aren’t trainers — although they’re referred to as “Runners”. They’re firmly informal strolling footwear.

Moreover, the wool is a lot gentle so Allbirds isn’t exaggerating once they say you possibly can put on these with out socks.

One factor we discovered a bit annoying is that Allbirds presently solely are available full-sizes (i.e. no half-sizes). Their web site says that their footwear naturally stretch to suit your foot after a couple of wearings. Fortunately, they offer you 30 days to completely check the footwear and their return course of is tremendous easy.

The one small gripe I’ve is with the tongue. It typically folds onto itself so I have a perform a little adjustment after placing the shoe on. It’s not that massive a deal however it’s an annoyance.

I’ve worn my pair for a number of walks (often one to 3 miles at a time) with none points however a majority of the time I’ve worn them across the neighborhood/metropolis and on walks with Henry. That stated, once we journey, we recurrently stroll for 10+ miles/day so I’m unsure how my ft would really feel if I put in that type of millage with these footwear.

So, to sum it up, we expect the Wool Runners have a superb weight/measurement to consolation ratio — they’re so mild that you could simply throw them into your baggage with including any bulk.

So are they the “World’s Most Snug Footwear”? That could be a little bit of an overstatement. However they’re definitely snug and I having fun with sporting them — particularly contemplating how loopy mild they’re.

Notice: We’ve learn reviews that some ladies felt the toe field was somewhat tight in order that they have been informed to attempt the marginally wider males’s model — fortunately the return/trade course of is straightforward.

Heat & Cool Climate Put on

Allbirds says their Wool Runners “keep cool within the warmth and heat within the chilly.” Nicely, on scorching days our ft nonetheless obtained a bit heat and sweaty so don’t anticipate these to be like air con in your ft. That stated, I didn’t really feel like these have been an excessive amount of totally different than different sneakers I put on they usually did dry pretty shortly.

Nevertheless, the Allbirds Tree Runners are alleged to be far more mild and breezy than the Wool Runners in order that they could be higher fitted to the summer time.

And now that Autumn’s cooler climate has arrived in NYC, I discover that my Wool Runners hold my ft cozy once I take Henry out on his nightly walks across the block.

Allbirds aren’t made for wet climate so your ft will get moist pretty shortly when you get caught within the rain.

NOTE: We haven’t gotten the prospect to attempt our Allbirds in chilly winter climate however we’ll report again as soon as winter hits.

Odor and Washing

Soiled streets. No socks. Clear footwear.

Allbirds are definitely smooth sufficient to put on with out socks. Wool is of course odor resistant so this was one factor that intrigued us about wool footwear. We’ve worn our Wool Runners a number of occasions with out socks and have but to expertise any noticeable foot odor. Good! We’d nonetheless advocate sporting socks when you’re going to put on yours all day lengthy as a result of they’ll in all probability ultimately begin to odor from prolonged barefoot put on.

That stated, you’ll be able to merely toss your Allbirds straight into the washer (chilly water) in the event that they do get smelly or soiled. They do have to air dry — we haven’t personally washed our Allbirds but however individuals on-line say they take about 24-hours to air dry.

We do like how Allbirds sells alternative insoles for $15 since insoles are what holds in probably the most quantity of stink. So, ought to yours begin to odor, simply throw in a brand new pair of insoles.

Sturdiness

Earlier than I received my Allbirds I learn some studies that the Wool Runners’ toebox had a bent to stretch out over time. We solely observed very minimal stretching — so I did some analysis and it seems that Allbirds made a number of enhancements in 2017 to strengthen the toe lining and tongue (additionally they improved the insole and made the only extra versatile).

Our Wool Runners are nonetheless holding up fairly nicely after a number of months of sunshine to medium use. We sometimes put on them across the neighborhood, to the espresso store/retailer, and once we take Henry for his walks. We’ve finished a handful of multi-mile journeys with them they usually’re nonetheless holding up properly. They’re beginning to present a little bit of age however that’s to be anticipated.

I’ve learn a handful of stories on Reddit from different individuals who have worn their Allbirds fairly onerous (i.e. day-after-day for 6-Eight months) and the max lifespan appears to hover round Eight to 10-months of heavy use — which is actually the identical outcomes as I get with my Nike or New Stability footwear.

I’ve learn that the wool tends to draw hair and canine/cat fur so that you may have to de-fur your footwear on occasion. Additionally, some individuals additionally reported that their footwear had a little bit of extra clear glue the place the only attaches to the higher.

Ultimate Ideas

After spending a strong period of time sporting Allbirds Wool Runners we will see why Allbirds as turn into so fashionable (they’re now valued as a billion-dollar model). They’re cool wanting, snug, have fairly good sturdiness, they usually’re made utilizing sustainable manufacturing processes. We additionally like their easy return course of and their 30-day assure.

They’re nice footwear for sporting across the neighborhood, operating errands, and concrete exploration. We additionally wouldn’t hesitate to throw these into our suitcase earlier than our subsequent journey as a result of they’re so light-weight and take nearly no area.

Allbirds Wool Runner value $95 by way of the Allbirds Web site.

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Thanks For The Help! — Susan and James

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